King Zephyr octave button: where is the side vent???

2157 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by shmuelyosef, Jun 18, 2007

NewZephX

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2007 (Edited)

Hi everyone! I'm a former "student player" getting back into sax after many years. I bought a '38 King Zephyr (silver) last month, and I'm very happy with it! Everything I knew 20 years ago came right back, and I'm working on a couple of ballads ("You Belong To Me," "Over the Rainbow"). I'm using a New York Otto Link 7* and Rico Royal #2's. So far so good, though I may try a less open mpc and a harder reed combo soon, as I don't yet understand the differences. The NY Link 7* seems to work very well in terms of sound, though. I love the tone this sax produces!

I have a distinctly newbie question. When using the octave button from D up to G (before the top vent on the neck opens when I go to A), I can't see any "side vent" or anything opening up to help produce the octave. I am able to hit the higher notes, but I think I may just be doing this with my air and mouth adjustment.
Can someone please point out the exact location where the octave side vent should be opening on my Zephyr when I play, say, 'G' and hit the octave button? I'm looking over the horn carefully, but nothing seems to be opening. I think that some mechanism may be slightly bent or out of adjustment and the vent actually isn't opening. Thanks for your help!

NewZephX

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kimslava

· #2 · May 31, 2007

Follow the G up...?

Hi -

Rather than try to track down a picture of that early Zephyr, I was wondering if you could figure it out.

The G key goes way up high to near the top of the horn to 'interface' with the octave mechanism and enable the automatic switching between the two octave holes.

If you hold the Octave key down and then press the G key, you should see the neck octave close and the side octave open. If the neck octave is closing when you press the G, that part of the mechanism is working. It may be as simple as the body octave pad is stuck to the octave pip and just needs a nudge to release.

Lots of the time, the top of the G key is directly (or indirectly) holding down the side octave vent until the G is pressed.

I've got a much later model Zephyr and the side octave pip is right above and to the left of the Hi E key. But yours being a much earlier vintage it may be located elsewhere.

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NewZephX

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 31, 2007

King Zephyr octave button

"It may be as simple as the body octave pad is stuck to the octave pip and just needs a nudge to release."

And it was. Thanks a lot. Last night I was scanning the horn noticing nothing opened on the body for the octave with those lower keys. I've been playing the sax for a few days with the octave vent not opening for D-G. Gave me some good air practice, though, as I was still hitting the octaves!
FWIW, the vent is where most probably are, directly under the neck fitting.
Thanks again for your post. Now, back to those ballads!

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NewZephX

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 31, 2007

I've quickly discovered a sticky side octave pad that also doesn't open fully. I believe the pads are new. I'll search around the site for help. The pad, when it opens (50% of the time now) sometimes opens fully, sometimes 3/4th's.

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bruce bailey

· #5 · Jun 1, 2007

IF the pad is opening at various fractions, it may just need a bit of oil on the shaft of the key or the spring may be a little weak. If the pad is sticking to the hole (pip), put a little talc on a piece of paper and tap it under the pad to absorb the sticky stuff.

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shmuelyosef

· #6 · Jun 18, 2007

If you look at the upper right of this picture, you will see the octave key...the arm is reaching just across the very end of the side E key rod post.

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